as in winds
an air movement that is blowing toward something (such as a ship or an airplane) as it moves forward
Stiff headwinds caused the flight to take longer than expected.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of headwinds
The underlying case against Comey has faced headwinds from the start.
—
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
At the concurrent Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, Japan debuted a dedicated Film Frontier section, placing seven Japanese projects across HAF’s strands in a clear signal that Unijapan is pursuing an outward-facing strategy regardless of bilateral headwinds.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The energy project announcements come as Republicans brace for political headwinds in the 2026 midterms as gas prices rise amid the conflict with Iran.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
The country was facing economic headwinds while also mired in the Korean war.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Consumers facing ‘real headwinds’ A customer shops in a grocery store on March 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
As the independent film marketplace continues to experience headwinds, a new feature film finance and production outfit is popping up with the intention of guiding emerging filmmakers from development to distribution.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
None of this bodes well for the Hong Kong film industry, which is also fighting commercial headwinds, including a wave of cinema closures and a tough financing environment.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
In 2025, shipments from China, where Apple still makes the bulk of iPhones, faced headwinds as a result of US tariffs related to the two economic powers’ trade war.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
At the concurrent Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, Japan debuted a dedicated Film Frontier section, placing seven Japanese projects across HAF’s strands in a clear signal that Unijapan is pursuing an outward-facing strategy regardless of bilateral headwinds.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The energy project announcements come as Republicans brace for political headwinds in the 2026 midterms as gas prices rise amid the conflict with Iran.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
The country was facing economic headwinds while also mired in the Korean war.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Consumers facing ‘real headwinds’ A customer shops in a grocery store on March 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
As the independent film marketplace continues to experience headwinds, a new feature film finance and production outfit is popping up with the intention of guiding emerging filmmakers from development to distribution.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
None of this bodes well for the Hong Kong film industry, which is also fighting commercial headwinds, including a wave of cinema closures and a tough financing environment.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
In 2025, shipments from China, where Apple still makes the bulk of iPhones, faced headwinds as a result of US tariffs related to the two economic powers’ trade war.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwinds
winds
Noun
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Rain is possible later Thursday night with winds from the southwest at 10-15 mph.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwinds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwinds. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
